Swansea - Route to Gold

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Monk to step down as Swansea City Manager

Today, Swansea City Caretaker Manager Garry Monk announced to the press during a conference and to the public on the club's official website that he was stepping down from his position as the Manager of the Welsh Club and was heading to a role in the coaching staff of Swansea City, as well as still playing for the Welsh Club.

Garry Monk said that he had done his job for the club and kept them above the relegation zone as he promised, but felt that he was not ready for a full-time managerial position at any club in the foreseeable future, as he does not want to end his footballing career just yet, despite being at the age of 35, an age where many footballers decide to hang up their boots and pass along their role to another member of the squad.

Monk had been Swansea City's manager since the dismissal of previous manager Michael Laudrup on the 4th of February 2014. His first game as interim manager for the club was in the Welsh Derby against Cardiff City, which Swansea managed to win 3-0. Although Monk had been doing well as the manager of Swansea, he has refused to sign a contract to show his commitment to the managerial role and has instead reverted to the position of Head of the Coaching Staff and has passed his Captain's armband on to fellow defender Ashley Williams.

Swansea will now be looking for a new manager to hopefully lead them to Premier League glory, and the main front-runners for the job are currently Aston Villa's Paul Lambert and the unsigned Martin Jol, who was relieved from his duties as Manager of Fulham and replaced by Felix Magath.

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Martyn McArdle revealed as Swansea Manager

Today, Swansea City have revealed their new manager hours after the resignation of Caretaker Manager Garry Monk. 28 year old Martyn McArdle, a relatively new man on the Managerial Scene, has been taken on by Swansea Chairman Huw Jenkins with open arms, with this being McArdle's first venture into management.

Birmingham-born McArdle joins the Welsh side with no new signings made by Garry Monk, who took a backseat in the club without even touching the transfer and wage budget and not selling or buying any players to and from the Swansea Side. Although McArdle will receive heat from the supporters for being new to the managerial scene, he is confident he can overcome expectations and give Swansea a good name in the Premier League, a name people will remember.

McArdle: "I know that not many of you will know me, but I have a strong passion and a will to succeed that I believe outweighs my inexperience, something that I believe the fans will get behind and root for me and their team, because we are a football club and a way of life, and that means that I expect nothing but the best from my lads, day in, day out, on the pitch and in training and any man that does not meet my expectations will receive my thunder and be dealt with accordingly, you have my word."

McArdle has already met up with his backroom staff and has made his personal evaluations of Landore, the club's training ground. His meeting with Chairman Huw Jenkins will commence shortly after his welcome interview, and then McArdle can open his list of targets and unleash his creativity upon his team.

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De Guzman signs Permanent Deal with Swansea

Villarreal Player Jonathan De Guzman, who has played on loan for Swansea City for the past two Premier League Seasons, is delighted of being able to sign an actual contract with the Welsh Club. De Guzman becomes brand new Swansea City Manager Martyn McArdle's first venture into the transfer market and will no doubt show the performances he has shown throughout the last few seasons. Manager Martyn McArdle and De Guzman himself both answered questions at the press conference.

McArdle:When I was looking at the scout reports, I wanted a man that could boost the midfield area of my team and also show the determination and loyalty to the club. Jonathan De Guzman has shown these traits over the loans periods he has played for Swansea with, and will now permanently be staying at the club.

De Guzman:I have a huge respect for Swansea City and Mr. McArdle. I am delighted to be able to join this club, a club that I have played for over the last two seasons, permanently and try and make my mark on the team instead of having to play for them on short-term. I want to thank Mr. McArdle for the opportunity he has given me with this club.

De Guzman joins the Swansea for a fee of £5 million, and will once again wear the number 20 shirt for the Welsh side, the same shirt he has wore whilst on loan. The Players, Management and Staff at Swansea City A.F.C would like to welcome Jonathan to the club and hope he has a happy and successful time at the club.

Matt Cardle! Good luck mate!

2014-07-26 11:39#186445 MCox93 : Matt Cardle! Good luck mate!

Thanks mate! There's a reason, McArdle (MattCArdle) Lol

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Lita to leave for Leicester

Swansea City A.F.C have announced the departure of Leroy Lita to Leicester City early this morning. The Transfer fee was undisclosed, but is rumoured to have been around £500k. Lita, 29, joined Swansea City from Middlesbrough in 2011 for a fee of £1.75m.

McArdle:Although I think that Leroy Lita has the potential to be an excellent player, despite his age, he simply does not fit the mold I have for Swansea and has therefore left for Leicester. There was no problems in the transfer, and I wish Lita well in the future.

Everyone at Swansea City A.F.C, Players and Staff, would like to wish Leroy Lita well at his career at Swansea and in his future endeavors.

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De Vrij becomes next Swansea signing

Holland and Feyenoord Defender Stefan De Vrij has agreed terms to a transfer deal at Swansea City. The Defender impressed Managers and Fans worlwide during his brilliant showing at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and has been snatched up by Martyn McArdle and his new Welsh Side. The transfer fee was believed to have been in the area of £3m, with it slightly reaching into the £2m section.

McArdle: Before I took up the managerial position here at Swansea, I had made my own list of talents I wished to sign for my team. De Vrij impressed me from when I watched the World Cup in Brazil, and he immediatly made my list. It's a pleasure to sign a talented young star such as him, and I can't wait to see him put out some 5-star performances out on the pitch.

Stefan De Vrij becomes the second summer signing for Swansea, following in the footsteps of Jonathan De Guzman, who joined the club for a fee of £5m from Villarreal.